The writing was lazy, and in need of editing. I forced myself to finish the book, but I'm not sure why I did. The writing continually distracted me from the story. I got the impression that the author had added the mind numbingly long descriptions of mundane events, such as boarding a plane, to pad the word count. The story would have been told better with 25-50% of the words used.

The earlier Lee Child's books were great. Intriguing and character-driven. With this one, it felt like a made-for-TV movie - shallow and poorly acted. This was my first audible download with Dick Hill as the narrator. It was so poor, especially the female character voices, that I had to stop listening and just read the rest of the book. Terrible. I just couldn't stand it.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Dick Hill?

Any male who has the ability to create believable female voices. I think Dick Hill knows he can't, so he just doesn't even try.

Do you think Never Go Back needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I think Lee Child's best writing has already been written.

Any additional comments?

The movie production rights purchase by Tom Cruise has basically ruined this franchise. Jack Reacher's story used to be quality writing. Now, it's weak, commercially-driven dime-store fiction.

One thing I like about the Reacher series is the absence of (consistent) formulas. Yes, I can tell when things are about over, but I can't always tell what kind of climax it will be. Sometimes it's the action movie balls to the wall type thing as in Killing Floor, Worth Dying For, or A Wanted Man. And sometimes it's like Never Go Back where the action is like a road map where the journey has more "excitement" and there is more dénoument than climax. Child does see the need for at least one hand to hand and one "hip to hip" encounter per book, but he does have publishers and a paying mainstream public to placate. But overall, I'm not only impressed with the series but even more impressed by Child's development as an author and resulting development of his characters.

Quintessential Lee Childs / Jack Reacher novel. Oh, and while the 2016 movie by the same title was mildly entertaining (Tom Cruise will never be Jack Reacher!) it ultimately does this book and Lee Childs a disservice. Anyway back to the Audible review - I am not a fan of Dick Hill's style.of.NARration (if you've listened to the book then you will get it). I highly recommend listening to the sample before purchasing to see if you can endure it. I guess I am a glutton for punishment. I purchased the book thinking maybe I'll get used to it. I didn't. But finished out the whole thing bc I was stuck on a plane and forgot to download my other purchase before taking off. I will likely never purchase another book narrated by this guy. Sorry Dick, I don't know you and I'm sure you're a great guy but I just.cant ... why do you narrate the whole book like you did?!? Why?!? All staccato and odd syllable accents, and offensive female voices?